Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Digital Hub.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

131 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date with regard to the development of the proposed digital hub in Dublin; the recent changes on the board of the Digital Media Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/02]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern):

The digital hub is designed to cluster Irish and international new media companies, research and development and educational initiatives in the Liberties-Coombe area of Dublin. It is part of the drive to make Ireland an international centre for high tech research and cutting edge digital industry. Facilities will cater for early stage, fast growth and established companies in the digital sector. MediaLabEurope, MLE, the third level research facility established by the Government in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is already up and running in the digital hub. Digital Media Development Limited, DMDL, is the body established to oversee the development of the digital hub.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are key partners in the digital hub as part of their strategy to target the growth of the digital media sector in Ireland. Dublin City Council is also a key partner in the context of its integrated area plan for the delivery of urban regeneration to the Liberties/Coombe. Property purchase for the hub has now been completed and the process of refurbishment has begun, with the first phase of enterprise space coming on stream this month. The second phase, a joint venture between DMDL, Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council to develop the former Guinness print works as a high tech accelerator centre, is due for completion next summer.

Earlier this year, DMDL launched a tendering process for the refurbishment of the remaining property on a PPP basis. A total of 12 expressions of interest have been received in response to this. An evaluation of these submissions is currently being carried out by DMDL and its team of advisers. It is envisaged that, following detailed negotiations, contracts would be signed with the successful bidder in the early part of next year with a view to work beginning shortly afterwards.

Construction of a high speed broadband network has just been completed by Dublin City Council. A number of educational initiatives for the local community are now also under way. Furthermore, the Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002, which will establish DMDL on a statutory footing as a State agency, is due to be taken in the Seanad in the coming weeks with a view to its enactment by the end of the year.

As regards recent changes to the board of DMDL, following a period of sustained development Mr. Paddy Teahon has stepped down as executive chairperson of DMDL, after devoting much enthusiasm and hard work to bringing the project to its current stage. His place as chairman has been taken by Mr. William Burgess, until recently chairman and managing director of IBM Ireland. Mr Burgess is also a board member of the Irish Management Institute, immediate past president of the employer's group IBEC, former chairman of IBEC's eBusiness strategy group and a non-executive director of Ulster Bank. In July last he was appointed chairman of the National Competitiveness Council.

In addition, DMDL is now in the final stages of the recruitment process for a chief executive officer. I expect an announcement from the board on this matter in the coming weeks.